Al-Qaida's 'Mr Theology' Abu Hafs al Mauritani released from prison

Abu Hafs al Mauritani, a former senior adviser to al-Qaida known as 'Mr. Theology', was released from a prison in his home nation of Mauritania in west Africa over the weekend, his family confirmed to the Associated Press.

Sidi Ould Walid said his brother was released after renouncing his ties to the terror network and condemning the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Hafs refused to be interviewed or to be filmed as he left the prison.

On militant forums, jihadists exchanged congratulations over the release.

Hafs was an adviser to Osama Bin Laden who helped form the modern al-Qaida by merging Bin Laden's operation with Ayman al-Zawahri's Islamic Jihad.